Pharmacy Counter Assistant
This course is designed to equip learners with relevant knowledge, skills and experience to work as a pharmacy counter assistant.
| Award Name | Certificate |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | Irish Pharmacy Union |
| NFQ Level | |
| Award Name | Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) |
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Irish Pharmacy Union | ||
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
Duration
1 year full-time.
Entry Requirements
Leaving Certificate with five O6 grades (or five passes pre 2017) or equivalent is the standard entry requirement for Level 5 courses. Leaving Certificate Applied or QQI Level 4 Award are also acceptable on the majority of Level 5 courses.
Some courses have subject specific requirements and these will be noted on relevant course pages.
A QQI Level 5 award or equivalent in a relevant subject area is the standard entry requirement for Level 6 Advanced Certificate courses.
Careers / Further progression
Career Prospects
Pharmacy Counter Assistant graduates find employment in diverse fields. Here are some of the most popular career destinations you could progress to:
Medical Counter Assistant
Medical Secretary
Pharmacy Health Care Adviser
Cosmetic Sales Assistant
Pharmacy Field Sales Representative
Pharmacy Store Manager
Higher Certificate Progression
There are many higher certificate options available from this course, including:
ATU Donegal Pharmacy Technician 6
TU Dublin Pharmacy Technician 6
South East Technological University Pharmacy Technician 6
TUS Midlands Midwest Pharmacy Technician 6
Degree Progression
There are many degree options available from this course, including:
College Course Area Level
DkIT Science (Pharmaceutical Science) 7
ATU Donegal Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Science 7
DCU Health and Society 8
UCD Social Science 8
Employment Progression
Graduates progressed to work for the following companies:
Eakins Pharmacy
Coyle’s Pharmacy
Leavy’s Pharmacy
Dolan’s Pharmacy
Boots Pharmacy.
Further information
QQI Exam Fee € 50.00
Administration Fee € 50.00
Capitation Fee €100.00
Good News Regarding Your Course Fees
In August 2022, Monaghan Institute and CMETB announced plans to significantly reduce fees on full time courses. This means that your course fees have been reduced to a maximum of €200. If you have a Medical Card/Social Welfare Payment, the fee will be €150. This fee includes all course materials, exam fees, toolkits, and uniforms.
The Irish Pharmacy Union Course Fee of €685.00 is also fully funded by Monaghan Institute and CMETB.
Full-time learners may be eligible to apply for PLC maintenance grants, which are means tested. For further details, visit www.studentfinance.ie or www.susi.ie where applications can be made online or downloaded.
You can apply online now. Applications close in October each year and reopen for the next academic year in January.
Monaghan Institute operates a policy of selection and admission of learners that is, at all stages and in all ways, equitable, transparent and accountable and respects the rights and dignity of applicants. The process for gaining access to full time courses at Monaghan Institute consists of several sequential stages:
Application
Interview (where applicable)
Selection and notification
Registration
Induction (where applicable)
Garda Vetting (where applicable)
Monaghan Institute operates under the CMETB FET Admissions Policy, which is available on our Policies page.
Is This Course Right For You?
Work in this industry varies from dispensing over the counter medications, helping clients choose medical aids and appliances to demonstrating and selling cosmetics, perfumes etc. As well as a QQI qualification, learners complete the Irish Pharmacy Union’s Medicines Counter Assistant award.
What Will You Study?
This course will focus on a range of business and health related subjects relevant to employment as a pharmacy counter assistant. Work Experience is within a retail pharmacy. The IPU Medicines Counter Assistant module is designed to provide the skills and knowledge to deal effectively with customers in the pharmacy. Emphasis is placed on questioning skills, product knowledge and appropriate referral.
Areas of study may include:
Medicines Counter Assistant (MCA) Irish Pharmacy Union
Customer Service
Medical Terminology
Nutrition
Retail Selling
Word Processing
Safety & Health at Work
Reception & Frontline Office Skills
Work Experience
You will be assessed on the basis of:
• Examinations
• Project Work or Assignments
• Skills Tests
5M4468 - Community Health Services
Qualifications
5M4468 QQI Level 5 Community Health Services
Medicines Counter Assistant (MCA) Irish Pharmacy Union
Monaghan Institute Education Campus,
Armagh Road,
Monaghan
Tel. 047-84900
E-mail: info@monaghaninstitute.ie
Visit our Website on www.monaghaninstitute.ie